Observations from Monday's practice at New Orleans Saints training camp

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; WHO'S HOT: Ramon Humber
The Saints' switch to a 3-4 defense means more opportunities for inside linebackers. And so far it appears that the fifth-year veteran is taking advantage. Humber has been working as the second-string &quot;Mike&quot; linebacker behind Curtis ...

The Saints' switch to a 3-4 defense means more opportunities for inside linebackers. And so far it appears that the fifth-year veteran is taking advantage. Humber has been working as the second-string "Mike" linebacker behind Curtis Lofton throughout training camp, and he spent time with the starting unit while Lofton got a breather Monday.

"I definitely think there's a lot of opportunity for everybody on this defense," said Humber, who started three games for the Saints in 2011 but has mostly been used as a core special teams player. "You know, it's a different system, new coaches. So each player's gonna get a chance to go out there and showcase what they can and what they can't do."

Humber has been mainly competing with veteran Chris Chamberlain at the Mike linebacker spot. But "Will" inside linebackers David Hawthorne and Will Herring and young guys like Kevin Reddick and Ray Shipman are all essentially competing with each other for roles on defense and special teams.

Humber is the smallest linebacker on the roster at 5 feet 11, 232 pounds. But as he said: "I'm a little undersized, but you just gotta have the heart and the will to get to the ball and don't let anybody stop you from getting there."

One of his most impressive plays at camp came when he punched the ball loose from tight end Ben Watson on Saturday for an apparent fumble.

Humber began his career in 2009 as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts -- where he was actually on the field for the "Ambush" onside kick in Super Bowl XLIV.

Humber was first signed by the Saints late in the 2010 season. Then he was waived after training camp in 2011 and re-signed three weeks later. Then in 2012, he lingered as a free agent until the Saints re-signed him in August.

This year, the Saints didn't wait nearly as long, re-signing Humber in March.

"I think I had a good OTA, I think I'm doing pretty good so far early in this training camp. And I think the coaches are starting to recognize that," Humber said. "They're giving me an opportunity to be able to make this squad. And that's really all I want."

WHO'S NOT: Jason Smith

The veteran offensive tackle had a few more hiccups Monday, getting beat during team drills by linebacker Eric Martin and end Jay Richardson and at least once during one-on-one pass-rush drills. He did have some good moments, though -- including one play in which he held blitzing safety Roman Harper at bay in team drills.

It's way too early to rule out Smith in the battle for the starting left tackle job, especially since he's adjusting to a new offensive system. But so far, he hasn't been threatening veteran Charles Brown, who had a much stronger performance during Monday's team drills, holding off both the speed of Junior Galette and the power of Will Smith.

Rookie Terron Armstead had a decent day with the third-string offense, with some highs and lows. He won two battles against rookie linebacker Chase Thomas in the one-on-one pass-rush drills.